Date context
1879–1955
Patent work and early papers
Educated in Switzerland, Einstein worked as a patent examiner before holding academic posts. In 1905 he published on light quanta, Brownian motion, special relativity and mass–energy equivalence. These papers addressed different physical problems rather than a single discovery labelled “relativity”.
Light quanta and the Nobel Prize
The light-quantum work related light’s energy to frequency and explained features of the photoelectric effect. The Nobel Prize designated for 1921 was awarded to him the following year, with particular recognition of the photoelectric-effect law rather than general relativity.
Developing a theory of gravitation
After years of investigation, Einstein presented the field equations of general relativity in 1915. The theory described gravitation through spacetime geometry and accounted for Mercury’s anomalous perihelion motion. Its development involved repeated revisions well beyond the work of 1905.
The Princeton years
In 1933 Einstein joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, remaining there until his death. He continued investigating unified field theories and engaging in public affairs. His papers and correspondence now support a continuing programme of scholarly editing and publication.